aldehüdrühm

An aldehüdrühm, also known as a formyl group, is a functional group in organic chemistry characterized by a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to a hydrogen atom and an R group, where R can be any substituent, including another hydrogen atom. Its general formula is -CHO. The presence of the aldehüdrühm defines a class of organic compounds called aldehydes.

Aldehüdrühms are highly reactive due to the polarity of the carbonyl bond and the relatively weak C-H bond. The carbonyl carbon is electrophilic, making it susceptible to nucleophilic attack. This reactivity is central to many important chemical reactions, including oxidation, reduction, and condensation reactions. Aldehydes can be oxidized to carboxylic acids and reduced to primary alcohols.

The simplest aldehyde is formaldehyde (HCHO), where the R group is also a hydrogen atom. Other common aldehydes include acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) and benzaldehyde (C6H5CHO). Aldehydes are found in nature and are used in various industrial applications, such as in the production of plastics, solvents, and fragrances. Their characteristic odors are often employed in perfumes and flavorings. The aldehüdrühm plays a crucial role in biological processes, for instance, in the structure of carbohydrates.